Work It Out
Willie and the Giant Lyrics

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It’s hard to let go
When you’re not the one holding on
It takes a grip
On the back of my neck
GRIEF
Of things I’ve done
Grief
You fill my thoughts

And choke my lungs
And always know where I am
But I know what’s true
So I push back
I’m not the one with strings attached!
I’m in control!
Grief
You’re no match
You make me sick
GRIEF!
Yeah
Give me peace!
I’m running faster, not running away
I’m running faster, not running in place
LOST
Fear is a dagger that’s lost its edge
Lost its edge
Give me peace
I’m running faster, not running away
I’m running faster, not running in place
I’m running faster, not running away
I’m running faster, not running in place
LOST
Fear is a dagger that’s lost its edge
Lost its edge
Let’s keep this up
Heartfelt focus
Fear is a dagger that’s lost its edge
Lost its edge
I feel myself slipping...

I feel myself slipping...
I'M NOT RUNNING AWAY

Overall Meaning

The song "Work It Out" by Willie and the Giant is about the struggle to cope with grief and the desire for peace while not giving in to fear. The lyrics speak to the difficulty of letting go of painful experiences and the hold it can have on one's mind and emotions. The singer declares that they are in control and not tied down by the strings of their past, asserting that grief is no match for their determination. The chorus reinforces the idea of not running away but moving forward faster towards a state of peace.

The lyrics suggest that the singer has experienced loss and has been caught up in feelings of grief and fear. The imagery of a dagger losing its edge is a metaphor for the idea that fear has lost its power over them. They are not running away from their emotions but are running towards a resolution, towards peace. The last line "I feel myself slipping," suggests that even though they are determined, the struggle is ongoing, and they still feel the pull of their emotions.

Overall, the song speaks to the human experience of struggling with and overcoming painful experiences. It encourages the listener to find the strength within themselves to work through their emotions and move forward towards peace, even when it seems the most challenging thing to do.

Line by Line Meaning

It’s hard to let go
It is difficult to move on

When you’re not the one holding on
When you are not the one in control

It takes a grip
It holds onto you tightly

On the back of my neck
In a way that is both physical and emotional

GRIEF
The feeling of sadness, regret, and loss

Of things I’ve done
About things I have done in the past

You fill my thoughts
You constantly occupy my mind

And choke my lungs
And make it difficult to breathe

And always know where I am
And have a hold on me

But I know what’s true
But I understand the reality of the situation

So I push back
So I resist